Redskins select TCU’s Josh Doctson in first round of 2016 NFL Draft

In a surprise move Thursday night, the Washington Redskins selected TCU wide receiver Josh Doctson in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft with the 22nd overall pick. The move stabilizes a position that expects to see both DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon hit free agency following the 2016 season.

After trading down from 21st overall with the Houston Texans, the Redskins were in good shape to select a defensive tackle, a position many experts expected the Redskins to address early on. With only one of the top defensive tackles off the board and talented stalwarts such as Alabama’s Jarran Reed and A’Shawn Robinson, Baylor’s Andrew Billings, Louisiana Tech’s Vernon Butler and Mississippi’s Robert Nkemdiche’s still available, Washington was in prime position to trade back and still land one of many players at a position of need.

Instead, the team looked forward, selecting Doctson, who caught a school-record 79 passes for 1,327 yards and 14 touchdowns for the Horned Frogs in 2015. He’s the school’s all-time leader in receiving yards (2,785) and touchdown receptions (29). The move not only surprised Redskins fans but Doctson himself, who only had an informal meeting with the team at February’s NFL Scouting Combine, according to Jones.

Doctson is the first wide receiver drafted in the first round by the Redskins since Rod Gardner in 2001.

Doctson, 6-2 and 202 pounds, has drawn comparisons to Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jordan Matthews, as explained by NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah: “Doctson is very much like Jordan Matthews of the Eagles. Both are faster than people give them credit for. Doctson surprised a lot of people at the combine when he ran a 4.5 40.”

For Redskins Head Coach Jay Gruden, Doctson reminds him of a superstar he is very familiar with.